Automation Plant Energy Control via Switching Sequences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automation systems lack efficient energy management, as subsystems often operate in energy-intensive modes even when not required for ongoing processes, and prior methods fail to effectively adjust energy consumption considering interactions with various control systems.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an automation control system, a higher-level control system, and an energy control system that communicates to temporarily switch subsystems to reduced energy states without affecting ongoing processes, using information signals to determine and execute energy-saving switching sequences based on an energy state model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If subsystems remain in operation to ensure quick response for future processes, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy control system performs preliminary analysis of process information to predict when subsystems will be needed again, and proactively switches them to energy-saving modes before actually needed, while maintaining quick restart capability through preserved process data and configuration
2Use of energy by moving object
If subsystems are switched to energy-saving modes frequently, then energy consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An energy control system is introduced as an intermediary layer between the process control system and subsystems. This mediator analyzes process information, determines optimal switching时机, and executes energy-saving switches, thereby shielding the complexity of energy management from both the process control system and subsystems while achieving comprehensive energy reduction
3Stability of the object's composition
If energy control is integrated into process control, then coordination is improved, but programming complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into functionally independent modules: process control system responsible for production tasks, energy control system responsible for energy optimization, and subsystems executing specific functions. These modules communicate through standardized interfaces, allowing each to be developed, programmed, and maintained independently while maintaining tight coordination through information exchange
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for operating an automation plant, which defines an architecture composed of an automation control system (ASC), an energy control system (EC) and a superordinate control system (OP) and which describes the interfaces and the communication between the systems. In order to control the energy consumption of the automation plant, switching sequences (SWS) are determined by the energy control system (EC) using information from the automation control system (ASC) and the superordinate control system (OP) and are carried out, wherein the energy control system (EC), in the context of carrying out a switching sequence (SWS), gives switching commands to the automation control system (ASC), as a result of which equipment items of sub-systems (MO1, ..., MO4) of the automation plant are switched at least temporarily into operating states with reduced energy consumption. By virtue of the device according to the invention, the energy consumption of an automation plant is lowered in a simple and efficient manner.